Jan Szturc, Petr Karásek and Jana Podhrázská

Abstract

The article focuses on the issue of agricultural soil sealing in the Dolní Věstonice and Modřice cadastres (South Moravian Region). Available data and map resources were used for this purpose (historical and up-to-date). Data was processed using manual digitalisation which helped to generate the needed map output. The decrease in area of agricultural land is analysed in individual periods starting in the year 1824 (source of data stable cadastre - the first half of the 19th century) until the present, and the sealing of different types of plots and soil kinds is assessed according to Evaluated Soil-Ecological Units (ESEU). In most cases, agricultural land sealing is associated with municipal expansion. To compare future development, potential (forthcoming) agricultural land sealing proposed within the valid landscape plans was also explored. Likewise, the overall price of sealed plots in both locations was calculated. The results show that there was a significant change in the use of both model territories between 1824 and the present. In Modřice, the area of the built-up area was changed from 16 ha (1824) to 409 ha (2016). The area of the site has expanded from 90% to agricultural land. The most significant change in this area is the development of builtup areas on agricultural land. In the model territory of Dolní Věstonice, the area of the built-up area increased from 16 ha (1824) to 48 ha (2016). The area of the site has expanded from 70% to agricultural land. Due to the construction of water reservoirs “Nové Mlýny”, the area of water bodies increased by 569 ha (during the period 1824- 2016). The water reservoirs occupy 65% of the cadastral area of Dolní Věstonice. The most significant change in landscape is the increase in water areas in Dolní Věstonice. Should this trend persist, an extensive reduction in agricultural soil and ensuing problems associated with sustainable agriculture, potentially also deficient food resources must be anticipated.

Journal Article

Abstract

The paper summarizes the results of wind velocity measurement in different distances from windbreak in combination with optical porosity (OP) determination in different periods. Experimental data were obtained by direct measurement of wind speed and OP analyses of images of four windbreaks in Southern Moravia (part of Czech Republic). Wind speed at 2 m above the soil surface in a defined distance from windbreak had been measured since 2006. Thirty images of different phenological stages of selected windbreaks from 2006 to 2010 were analyzed. Windward or leeward images were converted into black and white spectrum. All available measurements were used for a map creation. The highest values of OP (up to 50%) are achieved in non-vegetation period. Due to the high OP variability in height of terminal tree branches “OP reduced” was also assessed (just squares to 2/3 height of windbreaks were evaluated). The wind speed reduction on the leeward side relatively strongly correlated with OP value. The highest correlation was found out when the wind speed measurement at 50 m on leeward side was used. The dependence decreases with increasing distance. Full foliage in summer (10% OP) reduces a wind speed about 60% at 50 m and about 30% at 150 m on the leeward. These values for non-foliaged windbreaks decrease to 80 and 90%. Maximum distance of windbreak effect on wind speed reduction was found out by the extrapolation of the curves constructed using the regression equation of wind speed reduction in dependence on OP and different distances from the windbreak. Regardless of OP value, the reduction effect disappears at a distance of 250 m. The quietest zone of evaluated windbreak with an average height of windbreaks 15-18 m was detected in the area about four times the height (4H). The effect of windbreaks decreases with increasing porosity.

Journal Article

Lenka Tlapáková, Dagmar Stejskalová, Petr Karásek and Jana Podhrázská

Abstract

The contribution presents the method of evaluation of rural landscape development in Hustopeče microregion by means of the analysis of landscape structure. Based on the computation of the values of landscape ecological indexes, development and typical and specific features in selected time horizons are interpreted. The time of the stable cadastre mapping (1825) was chosen as the initial period, other periods were the actual situation at present (2006) and the time between these two periods (the sixties of the 20th century). It is an agricultural landscape in southern Moravia used for intensive farming. Analysis results illustrate long-term continuing landscape utilization for agricultural production. All evaluative indexes indicate reduction of number of patches and edge effect, enlarging of patch area and, consequently, increasing of geometrical extent and coarse-grained landscape pattern.

Abstract

Reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus inputs into surface waters from nonpoint agricultural sources requires targeted application of differentiated measures. In the study focused on soil and water conservation in the Jihlava river basin upstream of the Dalešice reservoir, we identified areas at potential risk of soil erosion, elevated infiltration and nutrient leaching, tile-drained areas and vulnerable riparian zones of water bodies. We then designed a system of complex protective measures for this river basin in more variants, and their effectiveness was estimated using simple empirical model calculations and research findings. Application of the measures defined by optimal variant 3 in the studied watershed could lead to reduction of the soil erosion effects on the surface water quality by 26.5 %, with simultaneous reduction of the amount of washed out total nitrogen by 22.8 %. The results of our study constitute a partial component of the Qualitative Model of the Jihlava River Basin and they were provided for use to the Vysočina Region authorities and the State Land Office.

Abstract

The climate of Central Europe, mainly winter seasons with no snow cover at lower altitudes and a spring drought as well, might cause erosion events on heavy-textured soils. The aim of this paper is to define a universal method to identify the potential risk of wind erosion on heavy-textured soils. The categorization of potential wind erosion risk due to meteorological conditions is based on: (i) an evaluation of the number of freeze-thaw episodes forming bare soil surfaces during the cold period of year; and (ii), an evaluation of the number of days with wet soil surfaces during the cold period of year. In the period 2001–2012 (from November to March), episodes with temperature changes from positive to negative and vice versa (thaw-freeze and freeze-thaw cycles) and the effects of wet soil surfaces in connection with aggregate disintegration, are identified. The data are spatially interpolated by GIS tools for areas in the Czech Republic with heavy-textured soils. Blending critical categories is used to locate potential risks. The level of risk is divided into six classes. Those areas identified as potentially most vulnerable are the same localities where the highest number of erosive episodes on heavy-textured soils was documented.

Abstract

Water retention in the landscape is discussed in the context of conservation and improvement of both its productive and non-productive functions. We analysed the retention potential of a small agricultural catchment associated with the Bílý potok brook, investigating the possibility to improve its retention capacity and slow down the surface runoff, thus increasing the underground water resources. Method of curve numbers was used for that purposes. From results, it emerged that present maximum water retention in the Bílý potok catchment is 96.2 mm. It could increase by 101.3 mm in case of grassing about 20% arable land threatened by soil erosion. As next possibility to retain water from precipitations in landscape, capacity and transformation effect of reservoirs designed in master plans was analysed. The latest programming tools working in the GIS environment were used to assess the retention capacity of both the catchment surface and the reservoirs. Analysing master plans in the catchment, it was found that 16 designed water reservoirs (from 31) have a good potential to intercept water and transform flood discharges. In the result, priority for building of reservoirs was recommended according to their pertinence and efficiency in the studied catchment. Presented complex approach can be widely implemented, especially for better effectivity and cohesion of landscape planning and land consolidations processes.

Abstract

The paper is focused on the current status of land consolidation in Czechia. The survey is based on a questionnaire distributed electronically to municipalities and related subjects (agricultural organizations, farmers) in areas where the land consolidation has been completed, is in progress, or is under preparation. Small farmers and municipality representatives perceive the land consolidation as a measure facilitating permeability of the landscape and protection from erosion and/or from flooding. Land consolidation is important for companies in clarification of the land ownerships and as a remedy for the landscape needs. About half of the respondents believe that the measures have rather brought benefits, whereas 41% of respondents mainly highlight problems. The negative side of the land consolidation is mostly seen in the time delays and demanding administration; agribusinesses also point out complications with land management. Nevertheless, 75% of small farmers and municipalities and 62% of agribusinesses are interested in land consolidation. The main differences between small farmers and large companies consist in their attitude to reduction of the acreage of large plots and their division by common facilities.